Feature Walls

All you need is one fabulous feature wall to really make a room stand out. Whether you want to make a statement, or simply have a small space that needs to impress without ovewhelming, we've rounded up the most original and stylish feature wall ideas - from bedroom to living room walls (and even the odd kitchen, bathroom and hallway) that really have the 'wow' factor.

If space is tight, decorating walls is a good solution. We mounted small pots of hot pink cyclamen onto little plinths on a wall as a dramatic display for a hall or dining room. Change the flowers for the seasons: using seasonal flowers for Christmas, and then changing to spring bulbs once it's over.

For a fresh and modern look, keep everything white and add graphic prints in crunchy apple green. We used a 'Teardrop' stencil, £49.95 from The Stencil Library painted with 'Tropical Leaf' matte emulsion, £16.25 for 1L from Sanderson.

Why use just one wallpaper when you can use two? Try using a different wallpaper for an alcove than you would for the main wall, or line the back of a bookshelf in an alternate print. Just make sure that both papers have harmonising elements: either the same colours or a similar print.

Create a wall of mirrors - don't be afraid to mix different shapes, styles and sizes. The more the merrier... For an extra luxe finish, paint the wall in a stylish shade and drape a luxurious fabric (or a Chinese-style bathrobe) as an accent.

Place postcards in a grid format to create a work of art. Framed postcards of colourful paintings hung in a tight rectangular grid can take on the feel of a work of art. Try art galleries for inspiration, which often sell books of postcards by the same artist. Frame using clip frames so the edges of the frame will not confuse the images. Group as close together as possible - a tape measure and spirit level are essential.

This bedroom designed by Gabby Deeming has a feature wall covered in 'Birds' wallpaper by Galbraith & Paul. The dressing table nook beyond is painted in 'New Lime' from Mylands and a thick skirting board on the wallpapered wall unites the two elements of the scheme.

Don't limit yourself. More than one feature wall is allowed. Our top tip? Mix it up. Try a bright colour on one wall, and a contrasting wallpaper. Here 'Hearts, Clubs, Spades and Diamonds' from the Atelier Zina de Plagny Collection at Surface View lines one wall and the room beyond is painted in a vibrant pink. Layers of soft colour flowing froom room to room create a calm transition between each space.

Feature walls aren't just for living rooms and bedrooms. Use a collection of kitchen items - utensils, or even tea towels to make a style statement. Plates also work well. We like these, from Toast, or try designer Lou Rota, who specialises in decorative vintage plates, plate hangers and even vintage plate art kits so you can transform your own old plates into vintage treasure.

If you're shy of adding colour (or rent your space and are unable to paint) take inspiration from this room designed by Eve Mercier. The Rothko-esque panels on the walls next to the bed are not paint, but vibrant silk.

This living room styled by Gabby Deeming has a wall lined in 'Décor Chinois' (pink) wallpaper. Although this paper from from Zuber & Cie is expensive (£880 for a 390 x 53.5cm panel) lining one wall makes a huge, and lasting, impact in a small room.

In the Delhi home of Anita Lal, founder of Good Earth, white arches in the sitting room frame eclectic artworks hanging above a sofa. This seating area creates a quieter place to sit away from the main living room.

Use matt spray paint to subtly blend the colour of your wallpaper and door frame for a gentle take on the surreal. Here 'Ringwold' wallpaper from Farrow & Ball has been sprayed with shades of green and white to create a background for wrought-iron lemon sconces.

In this London kitchen, interior designer Amanda Hornby has used pages from the Ottolenghi cookbook in lieu of wallpaper. This wall of collage is a fun and appetising focal point. French windows open onto a balcony that can seat up to 10 for lunch.

If you can only afford one wall of a luxurious wallpaper colour match the other three to its background colour. Here in the main bedroom of a Chelsea family home designed by Turner Pocock, a hand-painted de Gournay silk wallpaper is matched with a similar chartreuse paint.

Taken from the March 2014 issue of House & Garden. Additional text: Hatta Byng.

This bedroom in a Notting Hill townhouse is dominated by Michael Szell's cheerful 'Carnival' fabric and wallpaper designed for Christopher Farr Cloth. The wall behind the bed has been entirely wallpapered, giving the effect of an extended headboard.

Interior designer Rita Konig is known for her strong ideas about decorating, reflected in her west London flat. One wall of the bathroom in her flat in west London is lined in Hinson's tropical 'Martinique'. Playing on the lack of natural light in the bathroom, Rita has lightened the corner with lively wallpaper.

Born in America, interior designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay started her working life in New York, cutting her visual teeth as a fashion stylist on Elle magazine, before becoming art director for some of Manhattan's most celebrated retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale's. Her stylist's eye has remained one of her undoubted assets, giving her the confidence to compose sophisticated medleys of pattern, colour and texture. 'In this house, we definitely went maximalist,' she says. 'We used layer upon layer.' The wallpapers are 'Clouds Sonic' by Aimée Wilder and 'Tile' by Cole & Son, while the 'Libra' zodiac cushion is from Jonathan Adler.

Taken from the December 2013 issue of House & Garden. Additional text: Lisa Freedman.

This living room is lined with 'Reflejos Palmiers', a painting by Haby Bonomo, enlarged and turned into a bespoke wallcovering by Geneviève Lévy Édition. It can be made to bespoke specifications and costs from £79 per square metre.

Designer and architect Ben Pentreath created this scaled-up version of Rocque's 1746 map of London for the staircase of his friend and business partner Bridie Hall. The map starts with Canonbury - the location of the house - at the top. 'Of course, in 1746 this was still a field,' Bridie points out. 'In retrospect we should have chosen the Victorian version; then we would have been on there.' Like the look? Create something similar of your own at Surface View.

Line up a series of over-sized prints for a flexible take on a feature wall. This light pink hallway has 100 x 70cm framed prints from Surface View. From left; 'Petals On a Spotted Background', 'Floral Design II' and 'Berry and Leaf Design', all these patterns are taken from the British Library archives.